July 4th Build Off! - finish them yet?

[Jantrix]

I've got no plans for the 4th this year and have been kicking around the idea of doing a three day build, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Anyone interested in doing the same? If so we'll make it a CBP, no theme, no restrictions, just one unstarted model, or a rebuild, done by Sunday night?

 

EDIT-

Okay it looks like we're gonna make a go of this and have a few people interested so here's the rules.

 

1. Build what ever you want, however you want.

2. Share your work on this thread as much or as little as you want, but we'd love to see some pics.

3. The model should be a new kit, or pile of parts box orphans, or a re-builder.

4. Don't over do it. Remember to eat, sleep, do some fireworks, kiss the wife/girlfriend. I don't want to get an angry phone call from your boss Monday morning because you're too exhausted to work.

5. Start anytime after 12:01am Friday July 3rd and be done by 12:00pm Sunday night.

6. Have fun.

 

On a side note, building something quickly involves planning ahead. So between now and Friday, get the model out, figure out what the difficulties will be and make a plan. Clean off the workbench. Check the body/glass/interior/chassis fitment and make sure there wont' be any surprises on Sunday's final assembly. Make sure you've got all the glue, paint, spare parts you'll need. Lets have some fun.

 

EDIT: After some discussion with Chuck, we both thought this would be fun to do as annual event. So if you can't participate this year, but would like to, you'll get more chances in the years to come.

Edited August 7, 2015 by Jantrix

[knarf]

this sounds interesting

[Jantrix]

I thought it might be fun. I tried (unsuccessfully) to build one in 24 hours a couple years back, but a three day weekend seems a lot more do-able to me. I've picked a pretty simple kit. The venerable, 1/24 Monogram '57 chevy hardtop. No apparent fitment issues, low parts count, all the parts look decently molded.

So I'll detail up the kit SBC, add some parts box pieces, lower the suspension and a mildly weathered two tone paint job.

The last hurdle, getting the idea past the wife.

[knarf]

i was thinkin on buildin one of my go-mad nomads

[JTalmage]

Hmm. I'm off work Friday. I may like to participate... but heck I can't finish 1 thing in 6 months. I'd have to pick an awfully simple kit.

[Jantrix]

I'd have to pick an awfully simple kit.

That's the real trick. Like I mentioned, the low parts count on the old Monogram 1/24 kits make them perfect candidates. Add some fast drying flat paints and keep the mods and detailing to a minimum, it should be very do-able.

My lovely, supportive wife has given her blessing so I'm good to go. I have all parts and paints I need, all picked out and ready to go.

Pulling off a quick build requires some planning so don't wait until Friday morning.

Edited June 24, 2015 by Jantrix

[JTalmage]

I might have a kit in mind that I just got last weekend... its an old Revell (Carryover from Monogram) Hot Rod series kit... but pretty basic. I just have to finish my monogram 55 chevy first. I have been trying to discipline myself to not start any til one is finished.

Edited June 24, 2015 by JTalmage

[Tom Geiger]

Sounds like a fun idea Rob. As of right now I have no plans for the holiday weekend. My wife is still recovering from her operation and I've been home helping her, effectively house bound.

I do the 24 Hour Build every February. This build will probably have the same amount of bench time, just not marathoned. I expect to sleep, eat and do other things in between build sessions!

Anyway the key to doing a quick build is KEEP IT SIMPLE! Find fairly simple kit, hopefully one you have duplicates of, that's expendable and just build it! My first go at the 24 Hour Build was the Revell '53 Studebaker Miss Deal Funny car. Classic kit I always wanted to do, and I had three of them. I did only basic cleanup on the parts, and when I screwed something up, I just grabbed those parts from a second kit to keep moving forward. I had it pretty much wrapped up by 6 am. (we had until noon) It wasn't perfect, and I did go back and fix a few things in the following weeks, but it was pretty satisfying and most of all fun!

Edited June 24, 2015 by Tom Geiger

[Jantrix]

I got about 80% done when I tried to build the AMT '56 Vicky a few years ago for the 24 hour build. I finished afterward, I figure it had another 4-6 hours left. My Monogram '57 has far fewer parts and no opening doors so this should be a breeze. Glad you are joining in for this one, happy to have you.

[Tom Geiger]

Here's the Miss Deal. I did manage to complete it minus the blower (the part on both my kits was sunken in) and the exhaust (someone warned me about it). I finished up those details and added a bit more weathering later.

My next try was a Lindberg Dodge A100 pickup. I got this far! Thwarted by those silly doors. I eventually glued them shut and made nonfunctioning but in scale hinges.

We will have some fun!

[chunkypeanutbutter]

Snap-kits allowed?

[Jantrix]

Anything is allowed. This is just for fun.

[chunkypeanutbutter]

Well, when I get my paycheck, I'll pick up a couple, a Snap-Kit included. This should be fun. I did the Revell '34 Ford Snap-Kit in two days, and I was really impressed with the quality.

[DaveM]

Count me in! I was unable to do the 24 hour build this Winter. I probably won't be able to spend 72 hours at the bench, as I take care of somebody 24/7, but I can take some breaks and still have a decent build. I tried the 24 hour build a year and a half ago, and it went well for the first 22 hours, or so. I built a 1951 Chevy convertible. At the last minute, I couldn't get the body and interior down on the chassis. That 50 year old platform interior and separate fenderwell pieces were just out of alignment enough to keep me from assembling it. Rather than butcher it, I just stopped, and took things apart so that I could trim the parts down and reassemble it later on.

I need to pick a smarter kit for this build. Some of the older kits can run into tricky assembly and fit problems. Newer kits have a lot more parts and details, but the fit is so much better. Some of the older kits are pretty simple, and would make east builds. My first thought was an AMT '64 Impala, but those take some major bodywork to fill sinkholes. I have a '63, but that is really too simple. It doesn't have a complete motor, and just has a promo type chassis. The old '80s era Monogram kits are a pretty nice balance, as they all are fairly simple, with bucket interiors and slightly simplified chassis, but they still have decent details. I have a '70 Roadrunner, '69 Superbee, a '71 Satellite, a Superbird, a Torino Talledega, a '70 Chevelle, a Hemi Cuda street machine, some Mustangs, and a Monte Carlo SS and Buick GNX, along with a few older types. ('39 and '53 Chevy, and a '64 GTO. Any of these would be a quick and dirty weekend project. I even have a factory paint color that would be correct for the '70 Roadrunner, or any of the '71s, but I had bought it for a '71 Duster. I also might want to build a newer kit. I have a small stash of Drag projects set aside, including Bill Jenkins' '66 Nova, The Northwind '62 Bel Air, Beswick's '62 Pontiac 421SD, several other '62 Bel Airs, a few '64 Dodges, and some Thunderbolts. The problem with them is that they take a bit more detailing, and I hate rushing the build process on them. They are also some kind of fiddly kits. I might just do the '57 Del Rio wagon for this, instead of doing a review of the kit. I could also tackle the '49 Merc Woody that I have ready to go, or do another '32 Ford of some type. The '32 Ford would be pretty slick, as I have built a couple of them already, so I know their quirks. I could use this as an opportunity to jump start my "Shelf of Chevy" project, where I want to build all of the big Chevy cars from the '50s Bel Airs, to the Impalas from '58 through .67. The problem I have, is all of those kits have been cleaned up,filled, sanded and had the engines, seats and other parts glued up already. Some have been primed, I am going to do this build with a fresh, unstarted kit. (But I will build something that has been opened, before I rip the shrink wrap off of any new kits.)

I'll go through my stash and find a kit that calls out to me. I'll make the decision by the middle of next week, and get everything all set up and ready to go. I will also get my work area and airbrush set up well in advance. I will airbrush a couple of parts for other projects to make sure things are working. I will be more ready for this one.

[Petetrucker07]

I have six cars to build. They are for my auto transport build. I'm in on this with a car. Not sure exactly what, at the moment, but I'm in.

[Olskoolrodder]

IDK yet what the Wife/family has planned over that weekend,but if we're just staying close to home/in,I'll give it a try. I NEED to get a build under my belt,it's been a coupla years (since I built/finished anything),LOL I have several kits bought in the last couple months to pick from,and the supplies I'll need (not including body paint),LOL,just need the gumption to actually sit at the workbench and build on one

Edited June 26, 2015 by Olskoolrodder

[Jantrix]

Excellent. I'm glad some more folks are going to join the fun. I'll alter the OP to clear up any questions.

[DaveM]

I am doing a "Sorta' 7 day build" this week to get ready for it. I am working on a partially built kit for my "Shelf of Chevy" and I will go through all of the steps to get it done by Thursday. My main purpose is to test my painting procedures and get my chops down before doing it for real. I needed to get this one finished to have something out of the "In progress" pile before starting a new kit. The engine is glued up, and all of the seams are cleaned and filled, as are the seats, and other preliminary assemblies, and all of the mold lines and sprue attachments are already cleaned up. No primer has been shot yet. I will do the whole paint, start to finish on all of the parts just like I will on the 3 day build. This will show me any flaws in my plan. I am doing the '58 Impala because I have paint ready to go, and it is the same type that I am planning to use in the 24 hour build. (Tamiya) It should get any tool or equipment glitches out of the way. It will also get me into the zone as far as building, detail painting and foiling go.

I am debating between a couple of models for the actual weekend build. I'm thinking of the Revell '60 Chevy, in white with a red interior, or I am thinking of a Revell '63 Impala in black with a red interior. I have done a '59 Impala, so the '60 should be similar. I have also taken a good look at the '64, and it looks like it should fall together. If I want to take a break from the "Shelf of Chevy" project, I have a '57 Del Rio wagon. I haven't started it yet, and I could set up a two tone with Maroon and either black or white. (I also have several other good 2 tone colors, including a nice, dark blue) If I did the Del Rio, I would probably do a wheel and tire swap to create a mild street machine, or surf wagon. I could also pull out a '32 Ford, as I have built several versions already, or I could do a '40 Ford Street Rod. (Another smooth build) My last thought is doing a 1/24 Monogram kit. I have several, but the ones that have migrated to the top of the heap are a 1970 Roadrunner, and a 1970 Chevelle. I also have a '66 Chevelle wagon, and I know those go together fairly well. (I have the El Camino too) and I have already started the Moebius 1971 Ranger, but I could whip out the 1969 F100 and do that one instead. (Maroon, or maroon and white?) As another option, I have is an AMT '65 Galaxie I have been wanting to build in Phoenician Yellow. (That would be a different paint, though.) I also have some '25 T kits, and Double Drag kits, but those are kits I think could cause headaches in a timed build. My last thoughts for projects are a couple fo Cougars, a '69 and a '73. Both of those are older kits, and the '73 has some fit issues with the fenderwells, and engine compartment. (My last 24 hour build was sunk by the fit of the fender liners in a '51 Chevy!)

I think if I didn't have a massive kit stash, it would actually be easier to get something built. If I only had one kit to choose from, I wouldn't have to spend so much time deciding what to build!

I'll narrow it down a bit more (My first list of possibilities was 74 kits long!) I'll also get the Camera going. This should be lots of fun! I can do a decent job without suffering from sleep deprivation!

[Tom Geiger]

I will have to dig through the stash to find a suitable victim. My problem is that I have too many choices!

[Petetrucker07]

I've narrowed my mine down to two. Either a 70 1/2 Camaro or 69 Yenko Nova.

[Belugawrx]

Sounds like fun!

I NEED to finish a model

Let you know what on Friday

Cheers

[JTalmage]

I finished my '55 Chevy yesterday. I started a motorcycle for a friend. Should have that done by the time this begins!

[Jantrix]

Excellent. Welcome guys.

[c-plane362]

Count me in just got the 1971 Ranger from my friend. This should be fun.

[chunkypeanutbutter]

I think I'll be building the Crew Chief Blazer from AMT.